7-Day Cycling Tour In Japan：Experience the raw beauty of, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama and Shiga🇯🇵

7-Day Cycling Tour In Japan：Experience the raw beauty of, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama and Shiga🇯🇵

Get ready for an adventure to Japan you’ve never seen before, where you’ll find accomplishment, local charm, real beauty and a sweet taste of freedom. Embark on a brand new journey through Japan, seen through the lens of bicycles. This is the collaborative tour between O Cycle Japan and Samurai Matcha. The story of a six-day trip to Japan’s Kansai area is about to start. So, without further ado, let’s kick start this journey. 3, 2, wan, go! Today, I arrived at Kansai Airport Hotel OMO to have a meeting with the owners of O Cycle Japan and the members who I travel with, so let me introduce them first, Shelley & Masato: They’re the owners of O Cycle Japan. Shelley, a lovely Canadian with a radiant smile, and Masato, always cheerful with his jokes. He is a true Kansai local. Mirko: My friend and photographer from Italy, such a handsome guy. Alina: An old friend of mine who supports me with various projects. She’s a beginner in cycling, so she seems a bit worried. Yukie: A powerful Japanese woman who has four kids living in Canada, a super athlete who does triathlons. Aki: And that’s me, a Samurai traveling the world on a single gear bamboo bicycle while making Matcha. We spent the day getting to know each other, receiving safety briefings, and going over the itinerary for the trip. Now, let me give you a brief overview of the bicycle route for this journey. Route: Day 1: Kansai Airport in Osaka to Wakayama – 59.6km Day 2: Wakayama to Hashimoto – 60.9km Day 3: Hashimoto to Nara – 70.1km Day 4: Nara to Otsu – 54.5km Day 5: Otsu to Kyoto – 39km Day 6: Kyoto to Osaka – 60km In total 344 kilometers! And of course, this long journey includes lots of hidden gems. Thanks to Masato, who knows the Kansai area inside out. Now, let’s go on an adventure together! Day 1: Kansai Airport to Wakayama – 59.6km We got off to a slow start, taking a yoga session. After that, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast to charge up our energy! Today’s distance is 59.6km. It might seem challenging, but no worries. Shelley and Masato have arranged electric bikes with gears and cycle computers for us, so it’s very comfortable, even for beginners. On top of that, just like in the Tour de France, Masato will carry all our luggage, so we can enjoy cycling without any burden. If you want a challenge,you can try single-speed biking, like me! It’s a bit nerve-wracking, but super exciting! The weather and temperature are perfect! So, let’s go! As we started, Children around us were also starting their own adventures. How adorable! – Refreshing Feeling: At the beginning, we rode along the coast, feeling the exhilarating breeze. One of the reasons I love bicycle journeys is this refreshing feeling. You can’t experience it in a car or train. – Cherry Blossoms: We were lucky to catch the cherry blossom season. Mirko passionately talked about their beauty. 【Video of Mirko M_1_55】 He is probably saying it’s beautiful, right? – Shrines: Just so you know, Shrines are facilities of Shinto, the indigenous faith of Japan, while temples are associated with Buddhism. Here’s a quiz! Do you know how to tell the difference between a shrine and a temple? The answer: Shrines usually have a gate called "torii," while temples often have a gate called "sanmon." Got it right? By the way, did you know that Japan has around 57,000 convenience stores, 77,000 temples, and approximately 80,000 shrines? It really shows how many shrines there are in Japan.! One of the great things about bicycle journeys is seeing many beautiful shrines like this. – Ninja: Occasionally, Masato would appear like a ninja, taking photos and giving us useful information. Thanks, Ninja Masato! – Fun Athletics: In the countryside of Japan, you tend to find unique and fun athletics. Today, we found this long slide. Ah, what a nice massage for our butts! – Local Grandmas: Riding through Japan’s countryside, we met many friendly local grandmas and grandpas. They’re usually kind, so it’s worth talking with them. We became friends with a grandma collecting shells and seaweed. – Italian Restaurant: For lunch, we stumbled upon an Italian restaurant. The owner, an Italian-Australian, served delicious dishes. Mirko said it was great! so that meant it was really delicious. After crossing a mountain, we reached this shrine. – Doll Shrine: This is the Doll Shrine, Awashima Shrine, where many dolls are dedicated. Rumor has it that there’s a doll whose hair keeps growing… Kind of creepy, right? But this shrine enshrines a deity for medicine, attracting many women praying for safe childbirth. It’s actually a popular power spot. – Ryokan: Finally, we climbed a steep hill and reached the ryokan. This is where we’ll be staying tonight, Futagojima-Sou. Speaking of ryokans, it usually offers yukata, hot springs, and kaiseki cuisine! Look at this luxurious meal. There’s plenty of seafood because Wakayama is famous for it. It was the perfect reward for our hungry stomachs. The view from the window was also amazing! Day 2: Wakayama to Hashimoto – 60.9km – Morning Matcha: Yesterday, I spotted a Japanese garden from the window. When I saw such a breathtaking view, I couldn’t wait to make matcha there! so I did it and it was awesome. Happiness is all around you. We said goodbye to the ryokan staff and off we went! – Super Convenience: Some may feel anxious about cycling in a foreign country, but cycling in Japan is easy because there are convenience stores everywhere. Japanese convenience stores have everything from food to clothing to daily necessities. Plus they offer free toilets. It’s a cyclist’s sanctuary. If you’re buying snacks for cycling, I recommend Wider Jelly, Calorie Mate, and Onigiri. – Wakayama Castle: This is a must-visit spot in Wakayama. You can enjoy street food and see ninjas, plus you can enter the castle. Personally, I recommend this wooden corridor. It‘s so photogenic . We found a matcha tea shop at the end of the corridor, so we enjoyed some matcha. Ah, Thank you so matcha. – Wakayama’s Rivers and Mountains: Even for Japanese people, Wakayama’s mountains and rivers are stunning. With minimal ups and downs and plenty of bike lanes, it’s very bike-friendly. It’s the second day, so my butt is a little sore. But this beautiful scenery makes me forget the pain. Day 3: Hashimoto City to Nara – 70.1km – Typical Japanese Holiday: Why do I love bicycle trips? It’s because I get to see the typical scenery of that country :grandpas working in the fields, kids playing baseball, Shiba. You can’t see these everyday scenes in tourist spots, right? It’s the slow pace of cycling that allows us to appreciate them. – Japan’s Best Taiyaki: Today, we went to the shop Masato recommended as the best taiyaki shop in Japan. “The best in Japan? Really?” At first, I was skeptical. But since I was hungry, I ended up buying three taiyaki with red bean paste, custard, and matcha flavors. When I tasted them… they were so good! Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Matcha ❤︎ I can give it the title of the best taiyaki in Japan By the way, did you know that you can tell someone’s personality by which part of the taiyaki you eat first? Let me introduce you: 1. Head: Optimistic 2. Tail: Cautious 3. Fin: Nervous 4. Belly: Adventurous 5. Split in half and eat from the head: Active 6. Split in half and eat from the tail: Conservative I don’t know why, but that’s what they say in Japan. Do you have anything like this in your country? I’m curious, feel free to share in the comments. – Kashihara Jingu: Shrine, known as ‘神社-jinja’ in Japanese, is occasionally referred to as ‘神宮-jingu.’ Jingu is a highly esteemed type of shrine.There are only 24 out of 80,000 shrines like this in Japan.That’s why the power here is incredible. I gained some superpowers here too. Honestly, I thought it had a very sacred atmosphere. Totally recommended. Afterwards, we passed through the old streets of Nara and headed to Horyuji Temple. – Horyuji Temple: Here we are, Horyuji Temple. It’s the oldest existing wooden building in Japan and the first place in Japan to become a World Heritage Site. It’s a must-see. And also, don’t forget to look for the hidden Pokémon maintenance hole covers. – Hidden Gem Spot: Now I’m taking you to a hidden cherry blossom spot. Here we are! Sooo beautiful, right? We were so lucky to find this spot! – Fatigue: We reached the inn after climbing the final hill. We traveled 70.1km today, so I’m really tired. Why am I the only one with a single gear…? I thought that many times, but each time, I told myself, "Because I chose this!" Bicycle trips are tiring, but that tiredness makes the journey unforgettable and enjoyable. Fatigue is also part of the charm of bicycle trips. Well done, Aki! Well done, Team! Day 4: Nara to Otsu – 54.5km – Bowing Deer We started our morning with greeting deers. You might have heard, but Nara’s deer bow! look! At first, you might find the deer intimidating. But the trick is to stay calm and confident. That way, the deer won’t chase you. – Todaiji Temple Then, off to Todaiji Temple, famous for its giant Buddha. It’s always awe-inspiring. A popular activity at Todaiji is passing through a hole in one of the temple’s pillars. It’s said to be the same size as the Buddha’s nostril. Supposedly, it brings good health and wisdom. Do you think you can make it through? Alina passed through without any trouble! How about Shelley? Ohh, she did it too! Yes! – Local Experience Thanks to Yukie’s excellent communication skills, we befriended some local cyclists. They took us to a local restaurant. Unfortunately, the restaurant we wanted to go to was closed. But we happened to find another café. What a stylish open-air café! We had a great time dining with the locals and their dog”侘助-wabisuke”. Yeah, this is the dog that appeared in the opening! These encounters with locals are what make cycling trips truly special. – Enmanin Temple Shukubo After visiting several sights, we arrived at Enmanin Temple. It’s a special temple where members of the imperial family serve as head priests. There are only 17 such temples nationwide. Shukubo is kind of a temple’s hotel. One great thing about it is the opportunity to enjoy Shojin-ryori. It is Buddhist cuisine that doesn’t use any meat, fish and eggs-traditional Japanese vegan cuisine. And let me tell you, it was incredibly delicious. Honestly, it’s the best Shojin -ryori I’ve ever had. It turns out, the chef here was quite a famous cook in Japan. I truly felt that just tasting this cuisine made the stay worthwhile. Day 5: Otsu City to Kyoto City – 39km – Zazen We started the morning with zazen meditation. Doing zazen in such a beautiful room feels like I’m in real heaven. – Sightseeing in Kyoto Today, we visited many tourist spots in Kyoto. Spiritual shrines, Nanzenji temples, and the five-story pagoda. You can’t miss Kiyomizu Temple when you’re in Kyoto. Nishiki Market is also a must-visit. – Samurai & Ninja Museum And here’s an experience I highly recommend. You can learn about Japan’s samurai and ninja history. After learning the history, you can try throwing shurikens. It might seem easy, but it’s surprisingly difficult. Me? It’s easy for me because I used to be a Ninja! But in the final target game, Masato won in the adult category. OMG! He really is a ninja! Then, we moved to another location. We were supposed to experience dressing up as samurai, but a real samurai showed up. It seems we went to the wrong place. However, this samurai was very kind and showed us a sword dance. Incredible! Real samurai and samurai matcha… say cheese! Of course, we later moved to the proper location and tried dressing up as samurai. Final Day 6: Kyoto City to Osaka Prefecture – 60km – Red Torii Gates We started the day from the red torii gates. Do you recognize this place? Yes, it’s the famous Fushimi Inari. Here’s a question: What’s the role of a torii gate? Torii gates act as gates that separate the human world from the realm of the gods. That’s why Japanese people usually bow when passing through torii gates. …But you don’t have to bow at every one of them here. By the way, this shrine has a total of 10,000 torii gates, including small ones. Amazing! – Sake Museum If you’re interested in sake, this place is a must-visit. It’s the Gekkeikan Sake Museum. Besides getting a taste of sake, you can learn about the history of sake-making and purchase the latest sake. It’s a dream come true for sake lovers. – Panasonic Museum Here’s my recommendation for a tourist spot in Osaka. It’s the Panasonic Museum, where you can see a variety of historical Japanese inventions for free. By the way, Konosuke Matsushita was my mentor in cleaning toilets. Be sure to check it out. Along the way, we had lunch at a shrine, ran with local students, and finally arrived at Osaka Castle, which was our goal. – Osaka Castle You must visit Osaka Castle when you’re in Osaka. Oh, Nagoya Castle in my hometown is nice too, but Osaka Castle is magnificent! And we did it! We ended the trip by taking photos together. Say cheese! – Farewell Party Of course, we ended with a farewell party. We talked about the good and tough moments of these six days. Even though there were some tough times, we enjoyed it all because of everyone. Looking back on this journey, I can say it was an amazing tour that can only be experienced through cycling. Whether you’re traveling solo, with a partner, or with friends, it’s a tour that anyone can enjoy, even if you are a beginner. She made it! If you’ve felt even a little intrigued by this tour, I encourage you to trust your instincts and check out the O Cycle Japan website. And if you decide to sign up for the tour, I’m sure you’ll be exploring Japan with a beautiful smile in the future. See you in the next video!

Get ready for an adventure to Japan you’ve never seen before, where you’ll find accomplishment, local charm, real beauty and a sweet taste of freedom.

Embark on a brand new journey through Japan, seen through the lens of bicycles!!!

01:37 Route
02:11 Day1
06:54 Day2
08:33 Day3
12:01 Day4
14:30 Day5
16:03 Day6

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O Cycle Japan
https://www.ocyclejapan.com/

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PLACES:
1. **淡嶋神社 (Awashima Shrine)**
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bCpzw8BMa5hzybZC8

2. **双子島荘 (Futagoshima-sou)**
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Rnk4bxfMP8TWGz3RA

3. **和歌山城 (Wakayama Castle)**
https://maps.app.goo.gl/brRmgjnWeSYMaL5C9

4. **柏原神宮 (Kashiwara Shrine)**
https://maps.app.goo.gl/a33KY7xmBtwb9tS19

5. **法隆寺 (Horyu-ji Temple)**
https://maps.app.goo.gl/W2vRiHTBDPpGSS3t7

6. **東大寺 (Todai-ji Temple)**
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bA6AXdogE5gB5M7UA

7. **SHIKIベラシティーハウス (SHIKI second site)** Wabisuke↓
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2T5McbkhtJuUAGpv9

8. **圓満院 (Enman-in Temple)**
https://maps.app.goo.gl/up8F7MAJZzRN3NKAA

9. **南禅寺 (Nanzen-ji Temple)**
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FUzjej7hh1w981Xd9

10. **侍&忍者ミュージアム (Samurai and Ninja Museum)**
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EfH6iGBd9V1hya8g8

11. **伏見稲荷 (Fushimi Inari Shrine)**
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rc9VnGXcnNbULYkp7

12. **月桂冠大倉記念ミュージアム (Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum)**
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PYsNui7kBczf7cAb6

13. **パナソニックミュージアム (Panasonic Museum)**
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Bx8RhALYnMVK9rPq6

14. **大阪城 (Osaka Castle)**
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2bnsRG7XJgbMzQE17

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MUSIC:
・Epidemic Sound

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GET IN TOUCH:
If you’d like to talk, feel free to email me at samuraimatcha.japan@gmail.com I try my best to reply to things but there sadly aren’t enough hours in the day to respond to everyone…